Removal of metals and metalloids from acidic mining lake (AML) using olive oil solid waste (OSW)

Abstract

The acidic mining lakes have low pH values and high metal and metalloid concentrations. In this study, the ability of low-cost olive oil solid waste (OSW) to remove Al, As, Cd, Fe, B and Ti ions from aqueous solutions in short term has been evaluated. Adsorption capacities (mg g−1) of OSW (1:5–1:10 w/v) were 764.06–411.75 for Al, 0.26 for As, 0.07–0.14 for Cd, 2181.5–2406.5 for Fe, 23.70–82.50 for B and 0.12–0.0.34 for Ti. OSW addition increased acidic mine water (AMW) pH from 2.41 to 3.2 with 1:5 and from 2.41 to 2.7 to 1:10 mixing ratio, respectively, after 10 min. The best gradual decrease has been observed with different ratio of OSW applications on B and Ti concentrations. OSW adsorbs 32.41% and 62.68% of B at the ratio of 1:5 and 1:10 and 55.29% and 83.04% of Ti at the ratio of 1:5 and 1:10 (OSW:AMW) mixtures, respectively. The results show that OSW has great potential for metal removal from acidic mine water.